Plant Scientist Dr. Sónia Negrão Unveils Breakthrough Strategies for Climate-Resilient Barley
Dr. Sónia Negrão, a renowned plant scientist, is making significant strides in developing strategies to enhance the climate resilience of barley, a crucial ingredient in the beer and whiskey industries. As the leader of the Crop Stress Interaction lab (CSI-Dublin) at the School of Biology and Environmental Science at University College Dublin, Negrão emphasizes the importance of engaging the public in her research and promoting the essential work conducted at universities.
Negrão’s research primarily focuses on exploring plant genetics and leveraging genetic diversity to adapt crops to environmental stresses. She specifically works with underrepresented germplasm, such as heritage or heirloom barley, to identify genetic variations responsible for enhancing the plant’s resilience to climate change.
One prominent aspect of Negrão’s research is the study of waterlogging, which has become increasingly relevant due to extreme weather events caused by climate change. By investigating the genes that enable certain barley plants to cope effectively with waterlogging while maintaining yield and grain quality, Negrão hopes to breed more resilient varieties capable of withstanding higher rainfall events.
Negrão also employs plant phenotyping, a process that utilizes advanced imaging techniques like drones to analyze how plants respond to environmental stresses. This falls under the umbrella of ‘omics’ research, which involves examining large-scale data to comprehend organic processes.
Expressing her passion for her research, Negrão emphasizes that her primary objective is to secure food production and sustainability by unraveling the mechanisms behind plant adaptation to climate change.
When asked about her inspiration for becoming a researcher, Negrão fondly recalls her early encounter with Mendelian genetics in secondary school, which sparked her fascination with the field. This initial interest led her to pursue agronomy and ultimately specialize in plant breeding.
Despite the progress made in her field, Negrão acknowledges certain challenges and misconceptions. One major issue she faces is the controversy surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMOs). While Negrão works with natural crop diversity, she strongly advocates for utilizing all available technologies, including genetic modification, to address the challenges of feeding a growing global population. She believes that educating the public and presenting factual information are essential to shifting perceptions surrounding GMOs.
Additionally, Negrão highlights the challenge of managing the overwhelming amount of data generated by advanced technologies. To decipher the biological insights hidden within this avalanche of data, she emphasizes the need for data modeling and information architecture.
Dr. Sónia Negrão’s groundbreaking research into climate-resilient barley holds immense promise for ensuring food security and sustainability in the face of climate change. By leveraging genetic diversity and employing advanced techniques like plant phenotyping, Negrão and her team are paving the way for a more resilient future in agriculture. Through her efforts, Negrão demonstrates the vital role of women in STEM and emphasizes the importance of engaging the public in scientific research.
